More Bling!

I just got back from RT and I'm still smiling;-)What a great experience! I finally got to meet my critique partner, Francesca Hawley and my online buddy and fellow author in the Carnal Reunions Anthology, Cindy Spencer Pape. I had fun hanging out with both of them and we even managed a trip downtown to visit The Garden, one of Columbus' fetish shops. The clerks were adorable and offered to explain anything we uh...couldn't figure out.

All of the EC author that I met were fabulous and for once I got to feel tall! Well, not as short;-)I'm really looking forward to Romanticon this year and getting to know everyone a little better.

This was my first year to participate in Club RT and I can tell you, I didn't have a clue. It's a wonderful way to connect with readers but clueless me, I didn't realize how important the "bling" would be. I had a basket of chocolate, my business cards and a smile. It might have worked if I was a rock star.

The Friday E-Expo was so much fun! I sat between the very talented Dee Brice and a wonderful author, Kathryn R. Blake, who lent me a gold sharpie when mine quit working. She had produced a booklet with her cover and first chapter that was really slick. And I didn't write down the name of the software. Trust me, I'm kicking myself.

This was also my first booksigning and I can tell you as a newbie, I was terrified. When I showed up I had ten copies of Assassin's Kiss on the table but my other book, the Carnal Reunions anthology was nowhere in sight. Barnes and Nobles hadn't sent it. Our Resplendence publisher found out and brought Cindy and me five copies apiece. Thank you Leigh!

I sat between the fabulous Eden Bradley and very popular YA author, Heather Brewer. Heather sold out her three stacks of books within the first hour but the fans kept coming to talk and have their picture taken. She carried her vampire theme through with antennae balls stamped with the logo her books. Very cool idea and went over big with her fans.

I got several good ideas about bling at this conference and one of them was that functional items like antennae balls, eyeglass cleaning cloths and key-chains are winners but people also like to read excerpts and get a feel for your books. I'm making my list for Romanticon and it will definitely include bling!

See you there;-)
Hugs,
Paris